Windows Media Centre - should I get it?

[dannyboy83]

I currently have a small form factor Shuttle PC attached to my LCD TV in the living room.

I use it to watch downloaded TV programmes, and to listen to my MP3s through my HiFi.

It is an Athlon 2800 XP, with 1 Gb RAM.

Currently it uses Windows XP, but I was wondering if it would work with, and if it would be worthwhile upgrading to, Windows Media Centre.

I also have a wireless mouse/keyboard, an Nvidia FX5200 graphics card, and a VHS, Telewest Cable Box and DVD player next to the mini PC.


Thanks.

[GDVS]

Currently it uses Windows XP, but I was wondering if it would work with,

Almost certainly.

and if it would be worthwhile upgrading to, Windows Media Centre.

With no TV card, absolutely not. With one, it's worth considering. You need dual DVB recievers to get the best use though, realistically about £100 (check for BDA drivers, non BDA drivers won't work no matter what you do). Forget upgrading, it's a reinstall from scratch job.

[dannyboy83]

Ah I see. I COULD take out my PCI wirelss card and replace with a USB, to put in a PCI DVB TV receiver...

but what would I gain from it, just the ability to record from cable box onto PC?

Probly not worth upgrading. Thanks for your quick reply, Ive not really got much of a clue about Media Centre.

[GDVS]

Media Center is just XP Pro with some addons (and a couple of things disabled (domain membership/RDP if I remember correctly)). It's only really worth the money if you use the TV aspect of it, otherwise you're paying £100ish for an interface to media player. There are a couple of free media centre type apps out there, you might want to give one of them a go and see how you feel. At least you can fiddle without paying then.

If you did buy a DVB reciever I'd suggest getting a USB one, less electrical noise to interfere with the signal and the cost is pretty much the same.

For cable you'd need an analogue reciever and the media center remote IR blaster to change channels on the cable box, complicated. Freeview is the most reliable way to go at the moment.

[dannyboy83]

Yeh I had that problem with the IrDA when trying to use my digi-sender with cable. Need to buy a "red-eye" converter for £35 quid, and a compatible one-for-all remote to be able to change channels upstairs

OK cheers for the advice - much appreciated

[GDVS]

Yeh I had that problem with the IrDA when trying to use my digi-sender with cable.

Side note (because I'm bored and it's interesting (to a geek anyway)), IrDA is a device to device protocol and generally not used for consumer IR. Most remotes use NEC or RC-5 protocols which are much simpler. I learnt this the hard way some years ago, somewhere I have an unused USB IrDA adaptor that taught me the error of my ways (but kept around because, you know, just in case it's useful one day).

OK cheers for the advice - much appreciated

You're welcome, I haven't got much else to do today